Material-fastening device



Nov. 13, 1928. 1,691,179

7 c. BETZ MATERIAL FASTENING DEVICE Filed June 14, 1926 Patented Nov. 13, 1928..

PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES BET Z, 0F ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

MATERIAL-FASTENIN G DEVICE.

Aipplication filed June 14, 1926. Serial no. 115,934.

This invention relates generally to fastening devicesand, more particularly, to acertain new and useful device adapted especially for securing or fastening material, such as beaver board and other such sections, to studding or other frame-work in the formation of walls, partitions, and the like.

My present invention has for its chief object the provision of means in the form preferably of suitably elongated metallic strips of simple .and inexpensive form and construction which may be readily secured or otherwise fixed to the studding, flooring, or other surface or support and-by which panels or sections, such as, for instance, sections or strips of beaver-board or the like, may be conveniently, quickly, and efficiently secured and held in place and the joints or seams therebetween concealed.

And with the above and other objects in view, my invention resides in the novel features of form, construction,arrangement, and combination of parts hereinafter described and pointed out in the claim.

, In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 shows in perspective and in preferred form a fragment ofa material-securin and joint-concealing device or strip embo ying my invention;

Figure 2 shows in section a fragment of a wall-studding, a pair of wall-boards, and fastening means of preferred form of my invention, the latter being disposed with relation to the studding and boards in final boardsecuring .and joint-concealing position;

Figure 3 is a fragmental side elevational view of the strip; Figure 4 is a View similar to Figure 1, illustrating, however, a slightly modified form of material fastening means embodying my invention; and

Figures 5 and 6 are views similar to Figure 2, illustrating other slightly modified forms of the strip for holding the boards in relative angular or corner disposition.

Referring now more in detail and by reference characters to the drawing, A designates the board fastening member proper,

which is preferably constructed of suitable rigid, yet bendable sheet metal, is normally approximately of T-shape in end view and section, as seen in Figures 1 and 2, and includes, the material of which it is composed being doubled upon itself intermediate its width, a double-wall rib or web land oppositely disposed flanges 2, 2, presented outable sizes and dimensions and cut to lengths as required, and formed inthe strip, preferably by punching or other suitable operation, is a longitudinal series of suitably spaced tubular-sockets 5, which extend through and in the line of or parallel with the web 1 for accommodating the shanks of fastening-nails or the like 6, the respective sockets or seats 5 communicating with, and terminating upon the upper face of the strip in recessesor counter-sinks 7 for the heads of the nails 6, so that, when the strip is in board-securing position, the nails 6 will be substantially flush at their heads with the upper or exposed face of the strip.

For purposes of illustration, I here show my new fastening'strip in wall-forming connection, and to such end B designates an intel-mediate studding or post of a buildingwall or partition, and C, C, designate panels or sections of wall forming-material, such as, for instance, commercial beaver board, adapted for location and for securement upon the studding B to complete the wall or partition. As is common, the wall boards-or sections G .are uniformly pro-sized and are ordinarily of rectangular-oblong shape. Ordinarily, such wall-boards are butt-fitted over a frame element and secured by nailing through the boards into the frame element. Obviously, where headed nails are employed, the greatest precision and skill must be exercised to avoid a grotesque arrangement of nail heads, and obviously further, where headless or finish nails are employed, the holding, at best, is insecure, even though a relatively great number of nails is used. It is also quite common today that in the handling of the wall-boards in commerce, much damage is done the margins-hence the ordinary wall or partition presents unsightly seams or joints between boards.

In the construction of a wall according to my present invention, the boards C are approximately butted upon the studding B.

A strip or member A is then disposed with its rib 1 intermediate the abutting endsof the boards C, with its flanges 2 overlapping upon the adjacent ends of the boards C. By

means then of suitable nails 6 projected through the tubular-sockets 5 and sunk into the studding B, the flanges 2 are substantially, particularly at their down turned margins 3, imbedded into engaging relation with the boards C. Thus the boards C are most conveniently, efiiciently, and securely fixed in properly butted relation to and upon the studding. It will be evident that, where the strips A are serrated or toothed, as at 4, along their downturned margins 3, as best seen in Figure 4:, the teeth 4: increase the biting and retaining engagement between the strip and the boards.

By further bending or otherwise manipulating the strip, so that the outer portions of its flanges 2 project angularly obliquely upwardly, as at 8, relatively to the nail-sockets 5, or angularly obliquely downwardly, as at 9, relatively to the nail-sockets 5, the strip is weH adapted also for conveniently and rigidly securing the boards together and to the studding in the angular fOl'lniLtlOIlOf both so-called set-in and exposed corners, as clearly illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, respectively.

In some instances, I may add, it may be desired to further modify the strip by dispensing with or omitting the preferred nailsockets 5, in which event the strip is longitudinally equipped merely with a series of the surface nail recesses or pockets 7 disposed preferably throughout the strip closely adjacent, but in staggered relation relatively to, the center web or rib 1, as seen in Figure 4.

My new strips may be readily and inexpensively manufactured, and by the use of strips in accordance with my invention, I am enabled to quickly, conveniently, tightly, securely, and efliciently bind and fasten wallboard and other such sections in place and form a substantially seamless, smooth wall, partition, or the like, the margins of the several sections being covered and the joints therebetween being concealed. I may add that the strips enable the wall, partition, or the like, to more positively resist combustion, nails or other such fastening means of the sections are concealed, and cracking of paper or other surfacing material at seams is obviated.

I am aware that changes in the form, construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of my new fastening strip may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A wall-board joint-concealing and fastening strip of substantially T-cross-section and comprising a web and a pair of oppositely disposed flanges presented outwardly from an end of and at an angle to the web, each of said flanges having a down-turned serrated lip along its outer margin.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

CHARLES BETZ. 

